Car Rentals: Small, Independent Company, or Major Chain?

As a friend of mine once said, "Rental cars are God's gift to man". And, while most may not feel that strongly about the matter, there is definitely something incredibly useful and even fun about renting a car for a vacation or long trip. Not only can you avoid putting the miles on your own car, but renting a car often gives the opportunity to step up to a nicer and more expensive car, if only for a week or so. However, while rental cars can definitely be convenient, and greatly effective if you happen to be without your primary vehicle for a period of time, there are decisions that come along with getting a rental car that many do not often consider, and perhaps one of the most important decisions is whether you should obtain your car from a local business or a national change.

Of course, sometimes, if you are getting a rental while your primary car is being fixed, you may not always have a choice, as certain insurance companies specify which agencies a customer may rent a vehicle from. However, if you do find yourself with that choice to make, there are a few things that you should think about first.

Perhaps the first thing to be considered is the cost and selection of the cars, as well as over all availability. In this first category, major chains almost always beat out small, local competitors. National rental car agencies can afford to finance and maintain, as well as move around, fleets of vehicles, making sure that there are almost always cars on hand, and if there seems to be a shortage, they can simply bring in more from another location. In terms of price, chains are most likely going to be the cheaper choice, and this is once again due to the nature of big versus small business. However, those looking for some variety in their rental car may actually want to check out a local place first, as rental agencies sometimes tend to have agreements with certain manufacturers, meaning that your overall choices are going to be limited. So, although local businesses sometimes have some different choices, national chains almost (read: almost, not always) often have the better prices and do not tend to run out of stock in the same way that small locations can.

However, even though small agencies may not have the ability to match the national guys in terms of price, there are definite advantages that can be seen when considering smaller business. Namely, smaller businesses have fewer rental cars, and are thus much more likely to maintain, keep track of, and take better care of their vehicles than national corporations, which do not have the time to maintain so many different vehicles. For this reason, it can be safer, and often more enjoyable, to get a car from a smaller agency, even if you may end up spending a little bit more. Note that independent agencies may also have less hidden fees or restrictions on how far you can drive your car than national chains although this depends largely on the individual business.

If nothing else, at least this information should prompt one to spend a couple minutes considering their choice of rental car locations the next time the need arises. Although it may not seem like a major decision, it can definitely impact the period of time that you are going to have to the car for. Remember, often times, spending a little extra money can be worth the added safety and reliability of a car that you are going to get from an independent rental car agency. However, remember that this can differ, and the best bet is always to do your research and find out more about your choices and their individual representations. Above all, remember to drive safe and enjoy your rental car, the opportunity really only comes along once in a while, so make the most of it.